7th- 14th News (maybe *spoliers*)

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Steve Austin Update, HBK Student On RAW, Jerry Lawler News

Thanks to reader Shawn Harris for sending along the following:

I was at the show last night that Jerry Lawer was in at the Portland Expo. In his match he took the mic and said he was going to do a move that a fellow WWE superstar showed him. He did the 'Stone Cold Stunner.'

Thanks to reader Vishal Naik for sending along the following:

I was watching WWE Confidential last night and an add popped up saying that Tough Enough 3 will be debuted on October 17 on MTV. Just thought I'd let you know.

Thanks to reader John for sending along the following:

Hi. I attended Ring of Honor in Philly yesterday (October 5) and it was one hell of a show. This is my third ROH show in a row in Philly that I've gone to. Low Ki and Samoa Joe was a great match in which Low Ki won. Other independant atheletes such as Paul London, "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, Steve Corino, Spanky and many others were there. I met just about everybody after the show and was talking to Spanky (who is a student of HBK) and asked him if he's working any dark matches for WWE. He said he'll be working dark matches this Monday and Tuesday night. Spanky is an amazing athelete and if he makes it I hope they don't waste him. I'm telling you if Ring of Honor ever comes to where you are, you will not be disappointed.

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Kurt Angle News, The Rock/RAW, Brock Lesnar Update

Brock Lesnar is now confirmed to appear at the first-ever "Kurt Angle Classic" on 11/8-11/10. Lesnar will be at the 11/8 and 11/9 dates for the competition for autograph sessions at the "Kurt Angle/Physical Magazine" booth. He will also be in attendance to watch the amateur wrestling competition as Americans take on International challengers, which is basically what the entire contest is about.

On KPRC (NBC affiliate) in Houston, the local news ran a story about the Houston Texas at RAW last Monday night. They showed a bunch of clips from last week's show as well as one older clip of The Rock. The segment mostly featured the Texans center, Steve McKinney. He was shown backstage at the show last week hanging out with Bradshaw and Jamal. All in all it was said to be a pretty positive bit of publicity for WWE for a change.

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Former ECW Wrestler To Sign 3 Year WWE Contract

James "Little Guido" Maritato is expected to sign a developmental contract with WWE. WWE officials gave Maritato a dark match tryout at last Monday's RAW and many, most notably Jim Ross, were impressed with his wrestling. WWE then invited Maritato back for another dark match on the SmackDown! tapings last Tuesday. Again, most WWE officials were impressed with his work.

I am hearing that WWE already has, or is about to, offer James Maritato a 3 year deal. Upon signing, Maritato would be sent to WWE's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling for a bit of WWE seasoning to his in-ring style.

I will keep everyone updated on the latest of this story as more develops.

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Lex Luger Return Details, Randy Orton's Push, Heel Turn, & More

The choice of Randy Orton as WWE's "next big thing" was made mainly because he is the only young talent whose future is still bright with WWE. Unlike other talent, he really has not been tainted, so could get a fresh start on his push. WWE knows, however, that fans may be opposed to his push, but are hoping to still get him over. Similar to The Rock, WWE is pushing him as a face now, but has a long-term plan of making Orton turn heel due to an angle where he feels rejected by the fans, enabling him to make his run to the top as a heel. That plan is not etched in stone yet, however.

Lex Luger has agreed to return to wrestle for Andrew McAnus' WWA beginning in about two months. Many are questioning what kind of condition he will be in considering he now ways nearly 300 pounds from all the time off.

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WWE Trial Takes Turn For The Worse, Divas; more

- As the Nicole Bass sexual harassment case continues in New York, there was a piece on the trial on today's episode of Celebrity Justice. They asked their audience in an online poll if the WWE's evidence about Bass's involvement in S&M video tapes should have been admissible. The judge of the case had ruled against the tapes being admitted into evidence. The audience disagreed with the judge's ruling with 74% in the online poll, believing that the jury should have been able to see the tapes. WWE was planning on wrapping up the case by the end of the week. If the evidence for Nicole Bass are brought in the trial could continue for another week.

- After a long month of grueling competition, the finals of the 2002 Babe of the Year have finally started. Head over to 2002BabeoftheYear.com to cast your vote for either Torrie or Trish.

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Edge & Christian To Reunite, Booker T/HHH Match

Despite both wrestlers being on different rosters, Edge and Christian are going to reunite when WWE comes to Canada. The Smackdown brand has a house show this Sunday in Calgary and Christian, despite being a RAW wrestler, will be teaming with his brother. Here is the match on WWE's official card:

Reunited for one night only!
Edge & Christian vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chavo Guerrero

There is talk backstage right now of giving Booker T his pay-off with a match against Triple H. Due to the Kane/HHH storyline heating up, WWE likely wouldn't go for it yet, but definitely has it planned down the road. For those wondering, Booker T's victory over Big Show tonight was considered definite for most of the week considering the fact that his tag-team loss to Rosie and Jamal certainly did not help his push.

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Deliberations Begin Today In Nicole Bass/WWE Trial

The following is from the New York Post:

October 8, 2002 -- The lawyer for World Wrestling Entertainment hit bodybuilder Nicole Bass below the belt yesterday, telling a jury: "There is not one person at the WWE who would risk their dream job . . . to see her naked."

Deliberations begin today in her sex-harassment case, charging, among other things, that male wrestlers intruded on her while she changed in the locker room.

The lawyer, Jerry McDevitt, said Bass claimed other women were in the locker room when the men barged in. But, characterizing her case as "flimsy garbage," he pointed out no one backed her claim.

Bass' lawyer portrayed her hulking client as a good-natured, dedicated employee who wanted to be treated like "any other employee," but was met with hostility and abuse during her five months with the WWE in 1999

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Backstage RAW News: UnAmericans Controversy, more

As we have been reporting for well over a week now, there is controversy behind-the-scenes in WWE over Test and Christian refusing to cut their hair. Basically, WWE wanted all four members of the UnAmericans, three at the time the hair-cutting was proposed (before Regal joined), to all have the same look to give it more of a stable appeal. Test and Christian basically refused to even so much as consider it, which didn't please WWE.

Although one would assume such a petty situation isn't even worth mentioning, that is the reason for WWE splitting up the UnAmericans last week, and continuing it last night. Test and Christian both jobbed on the show, although for some strange reason I am hearing that more of the heat is centered around Test for whatever reason.

Nonetheless, as I reported on Sunday, they are keeping Lance Storm and William Regal aligned, and both will most likely continue the anti-American gimmick as a tag-team now.

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More Details On Randy Orton's Injury; Return Date

I spoke with several sources this morning to find out the latest on Randy Orton's shoulder seperation suffered on RAW last Monday. Here's the latest on his condition that I have pieced together thus far.

Orton met with a few different specialists in St. Louis this week and underwent a number of tests, including an MRI. The results of that MRI test came in yesterday and indicated he would have to miss a couple of weeks of in-ring competition at the most.

Apparently he is still able to work out in the gym without any problems, but does use lighter weights when it comes to the shoulder workouts. Orton has kept in good spirits despite "chronic shoulder pain" as quoted by Jim Ross in the latest Ross Report. If he isn't used in backstage segments, or something like being shown at "The World" on RAW last night, it's likely WWE will find another way to keep his television presence alive while he rehabs the injury for the next few weeks.

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Austin/WWE Update, No Mercy, ECW Wrestler To WWE

While checking out Ticketmaster's website, I thought it is worth noting that there are still several blocks of seats available in the front row of WWE No Mercy. While there is still two weeks before the pay-per view, it is not a good sign to say the least that you can still get front row tickets to a WWE pay-per view.

Steve Austin has continued to keep in shape since "walking out" on WWE. As far as contacts between Austin and WWE, Austin contacted WWE road agent BlackJack Lanza a month or so ago, but nothing really came of it. There have been a lot of second-hand discussions, but at this point Austin is more concerned with cleaning up his personal life, before even considering a return to WWE. Which interestingly enough, Austin's court date for the alleged assault on his wife, Debra Williams, is right around the corner.

The talk backstage at the Ring of Honor show in Philidelphia this past weekend is that James Maritato (Little Guido) has not signed a 3 year deal with WWE, despite the rumors going around on the internet, much from myself. However, WWE sources continue to insist that a deal is most likely going to be offered to Maritato in the near future.

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Undertaker Headed To RAW, Molly, WWE Staff/Confidential

The November 8th "JVC Tower Of Power" WWE house show scheduled for Penn State University is currently being advertised over the Penn State e-mail system. The house show will consist of the RAW brand, with one exception. Undertaker, a Smackdown star, is listed on the card, along with many RAW wrestlers from Booker T, to Trish, to Hurricane. This does not signal an Undertaker defection or trade as WWE is "mixing talent" for upcoming house shows as an added bonus for fans.

WWE Confidential will take a week off every month to ease up the schedule for the production crew. The features on the show require a lot of work and WWE feels the staff deserves a break.

Molly Holly will be at The World this Thursday hosting the Smackdown party.

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WWE Officially Defeats Nicole Bass In Court Case

The following statement was released by WWE.com:

A U.S. Federal District Court jury in the Nicole Bass sexual harassment lawsuit unanimously exonerated WWE and defendant Steve Lombardi of any wrongdoing. The sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Ms. Bass had no factual foundation and the jury, in its decision, saw that clearly. This was nothing but an attempt to smear WWE's good name in an attempt to make an easy dollar. WWE views today's verdict as vindication of our corporate name and reputation.

Note from Ben: For those who have been following the news on this case for the past few weeks, this ruling should come as no surprise. WWE destroyed Nicole in court each day, thus clearly making it obvious that WWE would win.

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Backstage Meeting At RAW: Huge Changes To Take Place

Yesterday at RAW, WWE officials were informed that Vince McMahon and other major executives wanted to get RAW on track. Some positive changes were announced a meeting backstage.

At the meeting, two key changes were announced. The first was that RAW will feature more interesting storyline-based feud. Unlike many current feuds which really were just started due to a match interference, Vince is going to get the writing team actually giving stories to feud. With that said, expect more "Kane is a murderer" and "Victoria's past issue with Trish" angles on RAW.

Also, Michael Hayes will be switching from the Smackdown team to RAW, in exchange for Bruce Prichard, who is now working for the Smackdown team.

Most of the backstage was happy with these changes. Although some feel that the reason for the Hayes-Prichard switch is that Vince simply does not understand how Heyman books and thinks that by having a former Smackdown team member working for RAW, some of Heyman's tactics will be explained to Brian Gerwirtz.

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Scott Steiner/WWE Negotiations, Triple H/IC Title

- The main reason Scott Steiner hasn't been signed to a WWE contact isn't because of health issues but because he is asking for too much money. Steiner has told WWE he wants a $750,000 downside guarantee which is the same deal Kevin Nash and Scott Hall received when they joined WWE. World Wrestling Entertainment are only interested in signing Steiner for $375,000 tops and that’s causing Steiner to work Japan and Indies instead as he feels he is worth more.

- Triple H is the reason there will no longer be an IC title after the No Mercy PPV. Originally WWE had planned to make the IC title RAW's top title but Triple H refused to be IC champion because he felt it’s beneath him and wanted to have a world championship on the level of Brock Lesnar’s World championship.

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TLC Injury List Update, New RAW/SD Direction Creator, more

Source: Various

-- The following is courtesy of The Honky Tonk Man @ TheHonkyTonkMan.com:

"Looks like we have a go. After months of getting ready, looks like Jake "The Snake" has the tour of the UK set for Nov. 2,3,4. He has sent the airline tickets and as far as I am concerned HTM is going. Jake has financial backers with several million dollars to help the promotion along. We will play 500 to 700 seat venues and will sell them out since our UK fans are sick of all the "Moodys" (fakes) that are promoted in their country. As we speak, UK promoters are advertising HTM on their upcoming shows hoping to steal our fans away. Will keep you posted of the events as they transpire. "

-- In a small clear-up about Bubba Ray Dudley, the pinched nerve injury he suffered a couple of weeks back is, obviously, completely un-related to the injury he suffered on RAW.

During the TLC match, Bubba Ray suffered a concussion, but no pain was felt from the injured shoulder, which is considered pretty much 100% now. Dudley has been pulled from all WWE house shows due to the concussion.

-- And finally, it is reported that the new direction RAW and Smackdown! are taking (with greater detail into storylines behind matches) was an idea evolved by Vince himself, explaining why he is so high on the plan.

The new direction, which started taking place as of this Monday, will hopefully mean that Smackdown!’s popularity will rub off onto RAW, whilst keeping the actual styles of the two shows separate enough to draw in different socio economic and age groupings to at least one WWE product.